Printing-telegraph receiver.



A. E Dlxom. PRlNTING TELEGRAPH RECEIVER.

` nations of selecting AIVIOS F. DIXON, OF NEWARK,

NEW JERSEY, .ASSIGNOR, BY

MESN E ASSIGNMENTS, TO

WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, .A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PRINTING-TELEGRAPH RECEIVER.

Specication of Letters Patent.,

. Patented Oct. 17, 1916..

pplcation filed October 14, 1913. Serial No. 795,073.

To all 107mm z't may concern.'

Be it known that I, AMOs F. DIXON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Printing-TelegraphReceivers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to printing telegraphs, and more particularly toprinting telegraph receiving apparatus and systems whereinthe lettersand'A characters may be reproduced in page form.

One of the objects of this invention is to f provide improved means forsecuring the effect of a prolonged line impulse in order to insurepositive operation and to provide a receiving apparatus controlled bycombiand non-selecting current Vimpulses wherein the apparatus remainsinactive unless a combination of impulses contains at least oneselecting impulse.

To the above ends, a series of electromagnetically controlled members|is provided whose relative positions determine the character to beprinted or operation to be performed by the receiving apparatus, while asystem of intermediate electromagnetic devices provides for a prolongedeffect. of the ine impulses.

The above and other objects of this invention vwill be fully set forthin the following description and claims, and will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which the systemof connections lis shown diagrammatically, so much of the apparatus asis necessary to a complete understanding of the device being shown inperspective.

.This system is an improvement 0n the system disclosed and claimed inPatent No. 1,103,133, patented July 14, 1914, and is preferably operatedby the well-known Baudot code of various combinations of five positiveand negative current units or impulses, although'other codes may beemployed without departing from. the spirit of this Iinvention. Theseimpulses arrive from a distant transmitting station, over a main lineconductor L and pass to ground through the windings of a polarized relay5. Relay 5 is provided with an armature 6 permanently connected to agrounded source of energy 7 and adapted to engage a front orac'tivecontact 8 and a back or inactive contact 9. The front contact 8is connected to a. conducting ring 10 of a current distributer 11provided with a rotatable arm '12, which is driven in the direction-fofthe arrow by any suitable source of power. The arm. 12 is provided witha pair ofl outer insulated contact brushes, which are adapted to makeengagement with a series ,of commutator segments 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19,connectin them successively with the ring 10. The arm 12 is likewiseprovided with a pair of inner insulated Contact brushes engaging acurrent distributing ring 20, which is connected to a grounded' sorce ofenergy 21, and a series of commutator segments 22. It is thereforeapparent that when the arm 12 is rotated about its axis, battery issuccessively connected to the various commutator segments 15, 16, 17, 18and 19 by the outer set of brushes, when the 4armature 6 is against thefront contact 8, 'and to the commutator segments 22 by the inner Set 0fbrushes.

In order to simplify the description. and to obviate confusingmultiplication of parts in the drawing, only one-receiving instrument isshown connected to the current distributer 11. It will be readilyunderstood, however, that other receiving instruments may be connectedin a similar manner to the idle commutator barsV so that a number ofinstruments may beoperated to receive several distinct messages beingtransmitted over the single line conductor L.

The commutator segments 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are connected,respectively, to intermediate electromagnetic. devices or relays 25, 26,27, 28 and 29 by means of conductors 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34. These relaysmay be constructed so as to be very sensitiveand rapid in operation, andthus facilitate the attainment of high speed in transmitting messages,and they are adapted 'to lock themselves in actuated position after thereceipt of an energizing impulse which insures the positive operation ofthe heavier and slower selecting magnets. relays is provided with anarmature permanently connected to one of the selecting magnets 35,' 36,37, 38 and 39 by 4conductors 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44, respectively. p

A type wheel 45, on whichthe characters are located in a double row, isTcarried by a rotatable type shaft 46 which as hereinafter described, bya spring 47 in Each of the intermediate I maybe driven,

i. spending to a character to be printed, is.

the direction shown by the arrow. The spring 47 is kept under the propertension by means of asuitable motor 48. Concentric with the type shaft46 are five movable selecting disks 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59,' each ofwhich is provided with a series of notches 60. There is one notch ineach of the disks corresponding to each vertical line of characterscarried by the type wheel 45 and one corresponding to each operation,such as spacing, line feeding, etc., to be performed. Each of thevertical lines of notches, correprovided with a 'pivotedspring-tensioned type selecting lever 65 which is adapted, under certainconditions tobe hereinafter explained, to engage with a contact arm 66carried by the type shaft 46. The vertical lines of notches representingother operations than type selection are also provided with pivotedspring-tensioned levers adapted to control circuit contacts, whereby theproper electromagnetic devices for performing the `desired ,function areenergized, as

hereinafter described. Each of the selecting magnets 35, 36, '37, 38 and39 is provided with a spring-tensioned armature 70 having a lever 71which is connected to one of the aforementioned disks 55, 56, 57,158 and59, respectively- Thus, when the armatures of any of the selectingmagnets are attracted, the corresponding disks are moved through a smallangle, and whenever one or more of the disks are moved so that acontinuous vertical line of notches is presented to one of the type oroperation selecting levers, the spring thereof tends to force the innerend of the corresponding lever upwardly intoA a position to engage therotating arm 66 or to cause the engagement of the proper circuitcontacts The type Wheel may thereby be arrested in a position to presentany desired characterl to the printing platen, or the properelectromagnetic device may be set in motion to space,

1, feed the paper, change from-letters to iigures, reset the papercarriage, or accomplish Other operations which it is found desirablethat 4the apparatus should perform, The type-selecting levers 65 andtheoperation-selecting levers, to be hereinafter more fully described,are normally held out of engagement with the selecting disks 55 to 59inclusive, and, after the completion of a cycle of operations, arerestored to their normal position by release levers 75 and 76 piveted at7 7 and 78, respectively. Release levers 75 and `76 havecentrally'projectingcircular shaped ends 79 and 80 for engaging anddepressing the selecting levers under the tension of springs 81 and 82.YTlpon the energization of release magnets to and 86, l1owever, themagnetic pull ov rcomes the spring tension, and the centrallyprojectingr ends 79 and 80 of the release levers 75 and 76 are raised,releasing the selecting levers, one of which, due to its coincidencewith a line of notches, may move a suflicient amount to initiate theperformance of the desired function. l

The rotation of the arm 12 is so timed,by any of the means well known inthe art, that upon the arrival of its outer brush upon any of thesegments of the distributer 11, the impulse or current unit of thecorresponding number is sentv to the line L `by the transmitting deviceat the sending end.' 'For example, when the outer brushes areconnectingthe segment l5to ring 10, the

first impulse of the desired combination is acting upon the relay 5;when the brushes -are connecting the-segment 16 to ring 10 the secondimpulse is acting upon the relay 5,

for each selection.

A suiicient description of the system and and so on for the entirenumber of impulses e y apparatus may be obtained from a description of aparticular type selection and the various operations, such as spacing,line feeding, etc.

Let it be .assumed that .the sending ap paratus at a distant,v stationis transmitting a series of impulses for selecting the char a'cter D,and let it be further assumed that the character D is selected by fiveimpulses' combined in the following order: positive,

negative, negative, positive, negative.

Uponthe receipt of the first impulse, lthe outer brushes of therarm l2of the distributer connect the commutator bar 15 with the relay` 5attracts its armature 6 against the,"`

tracts its armature, establishing an eni vergizing circuit for theselecting magnet'35 and a holding circuit for itself as follows:

ground at the armature of clear-out relayf 101, coil of release controlrelay 100, coil,

front contact and armature of relay 25, conductor 4.0, coil ofselecting` magnet 35, to

0rrounded battery 102. ReleaseAv control re#l ay 100 likewise attractsits armature and is held by the holding circuit above traced butperforms no function at this time; its oice inthe system will behereinafter eX- plained. The energization of selecting'magnet 35 causesthe attraction of its armature 70 and the corresponding movement of disk55 through the agency of lever 71, this condition being maintained bythe above menist 100 distributing ring 10, and assuming that the tionedholding circuit. The second and third impulses arrive over the main lineL, while the outer brushes of arm 12 connect the ring 10 respectively tocommutator segments 16 and 17. These impulses, however, being ofnegative sign cause the armature 6 of relay 5 to rest against the back'contact 9, and battery 7 is not connected to relays 26 or 27.Consequently selecting magnets 36 and 37 and their correspondingselecting disks 56 and 57 remain inactive. The fourth impulse ispositive over line L, and acts upon relay 5, While the outer 4brushes ofarm12 connect segment 18 to ring 10. Relay 5 attracts its armature 6against front contact 8 and a circuit is completed from grounded battery7, armature 6, contact 8, ring 10, segment 18, conductor 33, coil ofintermediate relay 28, coil of release control relay 100, back contactand armature of clear-out iclay 101 to ground. Relay 28 attracts itsarmature and closes Y an operating and holding circuit from ground atarmature -of clear-out relay 101, coil of release control relay 100,coil, front contact and armature of relay 28, conductor 43, selectingmagnet 38, to grounded battery 103. The'closing of this circuit causesthe continuing attraction of armature -70, of selecting magnet 38, andthe consequent moving of selecting disk 58 through a small angle. Thefifth impulse arrives over the line L While the outer brushes of arm 12are connecting segment 19 with ring 10, but being negative the armature6 is against the .back contact 9 and no current flows. The

selecting relays 25 and 28, the release control relay 100, vand theselecting magnets 35 and 38 remain energized, attracting theirrespective armatures, While the movementv of disks :1nd,58 has causedthe presentation of a continuous vertical line of slots beforethes'electing lever 65 which correcharacte'r D upon the type Wheel 45.

'After the. outer brushes of the arm 12 have passed the segment 19, theinner set of brushes connects the distributing ring 2.0 with one of thesegments 22. This closes a circuit from grounded battery 21, ring 20,

c segment 22, conductor 105, front contact and armature of releasecontrol relay 100, coil of release relay 106, armature and back contactof clear-out relay 101 to ground. Release relay 106 attracts itsarmature, closing an operating and holding circuit forv the releasemagnets as follows: ground at armature of clear-outrelay 101, coil,front Contact and armature of release relay 106, conductor 107, coils ofrelease magnets 85 and 86, battery 108 to ground. The energization ofmagnets 85 and 86 causes the movement ofrelease levers 75 and 7 6against the tension of springs 81 and 82, which removes their ends 79and S0 from engagement with the inner ends of all the selecting levers,whereupon the type-selecting lever 65, before which a continuousvertical line of slots is presented, raises its inner end into aposition to engage the arm 66 carried by the type shaft. The movement ofthe release lever 76 also causes the en gagement of a pair of contactsprings 11u which close a circuit from ground 111 therethrough toconductor 112 and thence through the coil of start control relay 113 togrounded battery 114. Start control relay 113 attracts its armature,closing a circuit fromground at armature of clear-out relay 101,armature and front contact of start control relay 113, conductor 115,starting magnet 1 20, conductor 121, contact springs 122 and 123, togrounded battery 124. The starting magnet 120 thereupon attracts itsarmature 125, causing a pawl 126 carried thereby to be disengaged from aratchet wheel 127 firmly the type shaft 46. The type shaft thereuponrotates, under the tension of spring 47, in the direction of the arrowuntil the arm 66 engages the elevated inner end of the selected typelever 65 at which time, under the conditions assumed, the character D isin position to be printed. The release 'control relay 100 serves toprevent the actuation 'of any (if the printing apparatus in case onlynegative impulses arrive over the main line L. This is apparent sincethe impulse over conductor 105 can` become effective only when thearmature of release control relay 100 is attracted and this conditionobtains only when at least one positive impulse is received.

Upon the engagement of lever 65 and arm 66 a circuit is closed fromground 130, lever 65, arm 66, conductcr 131, printing magnet 132,conductor133, energizing coil of spacelock relay 135, conductor 136,coil of clearout relay 101, to grounded battery 137. Relays 101 and 135,and magnet 13?. are energized, pull up their respective armatures andeffect the printing, spacing and return of the apparatus to normal inthe following manner:

Printing magnet 132 attracts its armature 140, forcing a printing platen141 against the paper, printing the selected Acharacter D. Space-lockrelay 135 attracts both its armatures 142 and 143 and completes aholding circuit for itself as follows: ground at 144, holding coil ofspace-lock relay 135, armature 142, conductor 145, contact springs 146to grounded battery 147. The second armature 143 completes a circuitfrom ground through conductor 148, spacing magnet 150, to groundedbattery 151. Spacing magnet 150 thereupon attracts its armature 152,`causing a stepping paWl 153 carried thereby to engage the teeth of aratchet Wheel 155, advancing said wheel through secured t0 the space ofone tooth. The ratchet wheel 155 carries a drum 156 upon which is wounda cord 157 connected to a paper carriage 15S. As the cord 157 is woundupon the drum 156, the carriage 15S is moved along a square rod 159 topresent va clean portion ot paper before the printing platen, and thecord 160 attached to the opposite end of the carriage 15S winds aretraetil'e spring 165 through the age' cy of a cord containing drum166. The spacedock relay insures-the operation ot the spacing magnetirrespective of the length of the operating impulses and its armaturesremain locked up until the armature 152 ot the spacing magnet separatesthe contact springs 146 through the agency of a pin 170 carried therebyand adapted to engage one of the springs 116. The separation ofthecontact springs 146 opens the circuit previously traced through theholding winding ot the space-lock relay 135, which will thereuponrelease its armatures 142 and 143, and the spacing apparatus will beagain at normal, providing the release magnets 85 and S6 have beendeenergized to open `the previously traced circuit through the operatingcoil of the spacclock relay, as hereinafter described. Although theprinting and spacing operations are initiated simultaneously by theenergization of the printing magnet 132 and the space-lock relay 135respectively, the time required for the completion ot the circuitthrough the spacing magnet 150 and the relativ'ely slow movement of thisheavily loaded magnet insures the completion of the printing of theselected character before the paper is spaced.

Clearing-out relay 101, in attracting its armature, removes the groundconnection from the release control relay 100, the release relay 106, asmany of the interlpediate relays 25 to 29 inclusive as may be heldenergized, the release magnets S5 and 86 and they starting magnet 120,allowing all of these parts to return to normal. The return of releaselevers 75 and 76 depresses the elevated selecting lever 65, breaking thecontact between arm 66 and lever 65, thus removing the ground connectiontrom the printing magnet and the space-lock and clear-out relays, whichthereupon return to normal'. The return of the. release lever 76 alsoopens the contact between springs 110, and the start control relay 113is denergized. A character has now been selected and printed, a cleansurface presented for the next character, and the apparatus brought tonormal ready to receive the next combination of impulses.

If it is desired to provide a space without the printing ofa. character,a combination of impulses is transmitted over'l the line conductor L tocause the operation of a space selecting lever 200.. This spaceselecting tion obtains when a continuous vertical row of slots in thcselecting disks 55 to 59 inelusive is presented to the lever 200 and thekrelease` magnets an'd S6 are energized.

Assuming that the proper combination o1 five impulses has been receivedto move the selecting disks, as hereinbetorc described, so that a rowot' notches is presented to the lever 200. an impulse passes over theconductor 105 as before. This flow of current energizes the releaserelay 106 which causes the energization ot' the release magnets 85 andS6. releasing all of the selecting levers centrally located about theshaft 46 as in the case of a type select-ion. Space-selecting lever 200is moved by its tension spring so that contact springs 201 and 203engage, closing a circuit trom ground therethrough, to conductor 133.operating coil ot space lock relay 135, conductor 136, clear-out relay101 to grounded battery 137. Space-lock relay 135 and clear-out relay101 are both energized. The armature ot the clear-out relay opens theholding circuit for the release control, release, and selecting relaysand the release magnets, as in the ease ot type selections. Thedepression ot' release levers 75 and '76, atter the denergization ot therelease magnets S5 and S6, lowers the space-selecting lever 200,breaking the contact between springs 201 and 203 and thus opening thecircuity through the clear-out relay 101 and the operating winding ofspacelock relay '135. The armatures 112 and 113 of space-lock relay 135close a holding circuit and anoperating circuit through the spacingmagnet 150, and after accomplishing the spacing. the apparatus returnsto normal in precisely the same manner as hereinbefore descrilwd. Theraising ot the inner end of lever 76 at the moment of release allows theclosing ot the contact between springs 110, completing thc previouslytraced energizing circuit for the start control relay 113. Start controlrelay 1 13 pulls up its armature, completing the circuit for thestarting magnet 120. Due, however, to the tact that the clear-out relay101 receives current at practically the same time as the start-controlrelay 113, and the starting magnet 120 is relatively slower in itsoperation, the starting magnet 120 docs not receive sutlicient ingnormally in a position to present its characters to the printing platen141. If

it is desired to print a 'character from theA lower row, a series ofimpulses is impressed upon line conductor L to cause the opera tion ofshift-selecting lever 210. This lever is similar in all respects tospace lever 200 and is adapted when selected and released to cause theengagement of contact springs 211. The closing of contact betweensprings 211 closes a circuit from grounded battery 137, clear-out relay101, conductor 212, springs 211, conductor 213, shift magnet 214,conductor 215, contactsprings 216 and 21,7, to ground. Clear-out relay101 and shift magnet 214 are energized,- the former causing the returnof the selecting and releasing apparatus, in a ,manner hereinbeforedescribed, and the latter attracting its arma.

ture 220.- Armature 220 is pivoted at 221 and carriesA at its outer enda roller 222 situated beneath the type wheel 45. A spring 223 secured tothe extending portion of ari mature 220 and to the frame holds theroller 222 normally in a lowered position. lVhen the armature 220 isattracted, however, the tension of spring 223 is overcome and the roller222 engages the under surface of the type wheel 45, raising the typewheel so that the lower row of characters is in line with the platen141. Armature 220 likewise carries an insulated pin 225 adapted, whenthe armature is attracted, to cause the engagement of contact springs226. The engagement of these springs completes a holding circuit fromgrounded battery 227 conduc` tor 228, springs 226, shift magnet 214,conductor 215, springs 216 and 217 to ground. Thus, after being shiftedto present the lower row of type to the platen, the type wheel isretained in this position until rei turned, as hereinafter described. Asin the case of the spacing, the clear-out relay 101 attracts itsarmature before the startmg magnet 120 can attract its armature and thetype shaft 46 does not revolve; also the circuit through the clear-outrelay is broken by the return of the release levers.

The lowering of the type wheel is accomplished by a` combination ofimpulses adaptedA to select an unshifting lever 235. Unshifting lever235 is likewise similar in all respects to space lever 200 and is joinedto contact sprinY 217 by an insulating coupling 236. pring 217 normallyrests 1n contact with spring 216, completing the previously tracedcircuit through the shift magnet 214, but When the unshifting -lever 235is selected and released, spring 217 is disf engaged from spring 216 andplaced in contact with spring 237. The disengagement of springs 216 and217 and the engagement of springs 217 and 237 breaks the holding circuitfor the shift magnet 214, whereupon the type-wheel is returned tonormal, and completes a circuit for the Aclear-out relay 101 which maybe traced from grounded battery 137, clear-out relay 101, conductors 212and 238, springs 237 and 217 to ground. The clear-out relay 101 returnsthe selecting and'releasing apparatus to normal and, as 1n the case ofthe space and shift,lprevents the rotation of the type wheel. The returnof the release levers opens the energizing circuitof the 4clear-outrelay, as previously explained.

The return of the paper carriage to the beginning of a line isaccomplished by the transmission of Aa series ofimpulses adapted toselect a carriage return lever 240. Lever 240 is connected to a contactspring 241 normally disengaged from a contact spring 242, butv adaptedunder certain conditions `to make engagement therewith. Vhen lever 240is confronted by a continuous row of slots in the selecting disks andreleased, spring 241 is caused to contact with spring 242, closing acircuit fromgrounded battery 137, clear-out relay`101, conductor 243,*

springs 242 and 241, conductor 244, and carriage return magnet 245 toground. Clearout relay 101 and carriage return magnet 245 are energized,the former returning the selecting and releasing apparatus to normal andthe latteinattracting its armature 246. Armature 246 carries a holdingpawl 247 normally engaging the ratchet teeth in the wheel 155. Thedisengagement of the pawl 247 and the teeth of wheel 155 allows thetension stored .up in the spring 165 during the advance movement of thecarriage 158 to return rthe carriage to the beginning of a line.Armature 2-16v also carries a pin 250 adapted, when the armature isattracted, to cause the engagementof contact springs 251. The engagementof springs 251 insures the continued energization of the carriage returnmagnet 245 is thereupon denergized,

causing the return of holding pawl 247 and the disengagement of springs251, whereupon all of the apparatus is again in a normal condition.Again, as inthe space, shift and unshift, the type wheell is prevented Afrom rotating during the return of the paper` carriage, and theclear-out relay is denergi'zed by the return of the release levers.

In order to. feed the papel' from line to line, a line-feeding lever 260must be oper- Contact spring 123 is suitably connected to lever 26() andis adapted to be separated thereby from engagement with t spring 122 andplaced in contact with spring The breaking of contact between springs122 and 123 and the making of con tact between springs 123 and 261 opensthe circuit through the starting relay 120, pre- .ventingl the rotationof the type shaft, and completes an energizing circuit for thelinefeeding magnet `265 from grounded battery 124., springs 123 and 261,conductor 266,

f magnet 265, to ground. Line-feeding inagrotating the paper carriage.

net 265 thereupon attracts its armature 267, causing an operating pawl26S, carried thereby, to engage a ratchet wheel 269 mounted on the endofthe square shaft loll, Armature 26T carries an insulating p'in 2T()adapted` when i tl armature is attracted. to cause the engagement ofcontact springs 271. Springs i 271 when thus forced together close acircuit ysaid electromagnet and each having a single winding. and aplurality of series circuits. each including a winding of one of said-de- "vices and one of said electronmgnets and controlled by saiddevices.

2. A receiving apparatus comprising a plurality of cooperatingmechanical selecting' members, a selecting electromagnet for y each saidmember, a. plurality of relays com` 'prismg windings and circuitcontacts for controlling the operation of said electromagnets,` anenergizing circuit for each said relay, and series holding circuits eachineluding one of said electromagnets and the same lwinding of saidrelays as is included in a.

adapted to carry selecting and non-selecting.

current impulses, a plurality of selecting electromagnetic devicescontrolled by the selecting impulses only, apparatus coperating withsaid devices for completing the desired functions, and mains forpreventing the. operation of said apparatusexcept upon the reee pt of atleast one selecting` impulse.

5. 'ln a printing telegraph receiver adapted to :function in response tocoinbina' tions of selecting and non-selecting current impulses. thecombination of a plurality of type selecting members, electroinechanicaldevices-adapted to respond to selecting current impulses and cooperatingto control the action of said members, printing apparatus copci atingwith said members, and electromagnetic means for preventing thecoperation of said apparatus and said members except upon the receipt ofat least one selecting impulse.

6. .In a printing telegraph receiver the combination of a rotating typeshaft, means for starting the rotation of said shaft. a plurality ofselecting disks`r levers controlled by said dislts for arresting saidshaft in any desired position, a Irelease magnet for freeing sad'leyers`and means actuated by said release magnet for controlling the operationof said shaft rotation starting means.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 10th day ofOctober' A. vD., 1913.

AMOS F. DIXON.

Witnesses:

R. V. HINKLE, M. V. CONATY.

